Authentication of user at a device using a mobile application

ABSTRACT

An authentication system uses authentication tokens to allow access by third party applications to a printing device. A mobile device includes a mobile application that scans a graphical code to obtain identification information for the printing device. The mobile application requests that the third party application generate an authentication token. The mobile application stores the authentication token for the third party application and the identification information at a document processing platform, which is separate from the printing device or application. The printing device provides its identification information to the document processing platform to receive the authentication token. The printing device provides the authentication token to the third party application to establish a connection to process print jobs through the mobile device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to authenticating a user at a printingdevice using token exchanges with a mobile device executing a mobileapplication.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Existing devices run out of date programs or applications. Some of theseprograms may only be executed on older devices that are not compatiblewith newer applications. One may be unable to support integration ofthese devices with most available internet applications due toincompatibilities with common and recent technologies. Another problemis authenticating whether a user is able to access these applications ata device. Moreover, public devices may not have the capability to storeand account for every possible application available to a large numberof users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for authentication of a user at a printing device using amobile application is disclosed. The method includes pairing a mobileapplication with a printing device to receive identification informationfor the printing device. The method also includes generating anauthentication token at a third party application in response to arequest from the mobile application. The method also includes providingthe authentication token to the mobile application. The method alsoincludes storing the authentication token and the identificationinformation for the printing device at a document processing platform.The method also includes retrieving the authentication token from thedocument processing platform by the printing device upon receipt of theidentification information. The method also includes establishing aconnection between the third party application and the printing devicebased on the authentication token.

A method for using a mobile application on a mobile device toauthenticate a user at a printing device is disclosed. The methodincludes scanning a code from a printing device by the mobileapplication. The code includes identification information for theprinting device. The method also includes requesting a firstauthentication token from a first application. The first authenticationtoken is unique to the third party application. The method also includesstoring the first authentication token and the identificationinformation on a document processing platform. The method also includesinstructing the printing device to retrieve the first authenticationtoken from the document processing platform to establish a connection tothe first application.

A system to authenticate a user at a printing device using a mobileapplication is disclosed. The system includes a printing device having agraphical code. The system also includes a mobile device configured toexecute a mobile application. The mobile device scans the graphical codefor use by the mobile application and retrieves identificationinformation for the printing device based on the graphical code. Thesystem also includes a third party application located on a remoteserver. The third party application is configured to provide anauthentication token to the mobile application. The system also includesa document processing platform to store the authentication token and theidentification information for the printing device provided by themobile application. The document processing platform is configured toprovide the authentication token to the printing device upon receipt ofthe identification information from the printing device. A connection isestablished between the printing device and the third party applicationaccording to the authentication token.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other features and attendant advantages of the present inventionwill be more fully appreciated when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system to authenticate a user ata printing device using a mobile application according to the disclosedembodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components of the printing deviceused in conjunction with the authentication system according to thedisclosed embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the components for a mobile deviceexecuting the mobile application for use with the authentication systemaccording to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart for pairing a printing device with amobile application for authentication according to the disclosedembodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart for using an authentication token withthe mobile application according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart for establishing a connection between theprinting device and a third party application according to the disclosedembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments of thepresent invention. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Numerous specific details are set forth in orderto provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. While theembodiments will be described in conjunction with the drawings, it willbe understood that the following description is not intended to limitthe present invention to any one embodiment. On the contrary, thefollowing description is intended to cover alternatives, modifications,and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of theappended claims. Numerous specific details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

The disclosed embodiments include an authentication framework thatenables any application to obtain access to resources accessible byusers in another application service, such as a social media platform,storage applications, email services, and the like. Using theauthentication framework, an accessing application may obtain access toan internet application service after the user gives explicit permissionto the accessing application. The underlying process to make thispossible is through token exchanges that are defined as part of theauthentication definition. The token may be kept by the accessingapplication. A mobile application becomes the accessing applicationduring authentication only in order to receive an authentication token.In other embodiments, the mobile application may receive a refreshtoken. The token will be shared to the application on the printingdevice whenever a request is received to perform an operation with theinternet, or third party application.

Within the printing device, a software development platform issupported. The platform is a component available in most printingdevices that enables third party developers to extend thefunctionalities of the printing devices. An application may be asoftware component that runs on the platform. Thus, the softwaredevelopment platform may allow customized applications to operate withthe printing device or even a network of printing devices to optimizeworkflow. In this instance, the software development platform along withthe associated authentication application may provide the featuresdisclosed herein.

Using the disclosed authentication framework, a user may need to print adocument or photo from a third party application, such as a DROPBOX™account, on the printing device. Some printing devices include screensor interfaces to allow the user to enter information to authenticateherself. Other devices may not include such screens and, therefore, maynot allow authentication to the printing device. Some devices also uselegacy software platforms. Due to the limitations of the softwaredevelopment platform, the user first has to authenticate to her DROPBOX™account through the disclosed mobile application. The user launches themobile application on the mobile device and scans a graphic code on theprinting device to obtain information or identification for the printingdevice.

The user successfully finishes the login process on the mobileapplication. The mobile application will get an authentication tokenfrom the DROPBOX™ server application programming interface (API). Themobile application saves the authentication token along with theidentification or other information about the printing device to adocument processing platform, which may be a server within the networkof the printing device. The printing device keeps polling the documentprocess platform server until it finds a matching authentication tokenthat is associated with its identification. The printing device uses theauthentication token to connect to the DROPBOX™ server successfully. Theuser then may select the files and finish printing the documents.

Some of the embodiments allow use of printing devices outside the user'snetwork, such as within a store or public location. The user does notwant to enter personal information onto the printing device. Further,such information may be stolen. Limits also may be placed on how much auser can use the printing device. Thus, the use of tokens allows theuser to access a printing device without the need for personal orprivate information being entered onto the printing device.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 to authenticate auser at a printing device 104 using a mobile application 110 accordingto the disclosed embodiments. System 100 includes different entitiesthat perform various tasks in order to print documents at printingdevice 104. These entities may be connected over network. Further, eachentity may be within its own network in that not every entity isconnected to the same network.

Printing device 104 receives print jobs from various sources. Printingdevice 104 includes engine 106 to prepare and format the printing jobs.The components of printing device 104 are disclosed in greater detail byFIG. 2. Printing device 104 includes software development platform 105.Platform 105 may extend the capabilities of printing device 104 throughthe use of one or more applications 107. In some instances, however,platform 105 and application 107 are out of date or not supported.Further, third party applications may not directly access platform 105.

Mobile device 108 may communicate with printing device 104 to allow useof platform 105 by other applications or services within system 100.Mobile device 108 includes mobile application 110 that executes thereon.Mobile device 108 may receive authentication tokens 130 and 134 fromthird party applications 112 and 116, respectively, for use with mobileapplication 110. It also can obtain identification information 140 aboutprinting device 104 by scanning or inputting graphical code 138.Graphical code 138, in some instances, may be a QR code or a barcode.Graphical code 138 may direct mobile device 108 to storage 122 on system100 to retrieve identification information 140. Alternatively,information 140 may be stored on printing device 104 and provided tomobile device 108 upon presentation of code 138.

System 100 includes a plurality of third party applications or servicesthat may use printing device 104 using mobile application 110. Mobileapplication 110 may interface with application 107 or platform 105 onprinting device 104 to expand capabilities to new applications.Applications 112 and 114 are shown, but more applications may beimplemented within system 100. Application 112 includes applicationserver 114, which may store authentication token 130 and refresh token132. Application 116 includes application server 118, which may storeauthentication token 134 and refresh token 136. In some embodiments,printing device 104 may communicate directly with applications 112 and116 using the disclosed embodiments.

Document processing platform 120 may act as a backend server withinsystem 100. Mobile application 110 may store received authenticationtokens and identification information 130 for printing device 104 atdocument processing platform 120. Printing device 104 polls documentprocessing platform 120 for the authentication token for the requestingthird party application using its identification information. Thecorresponding authentication token is provided to printing device fromdocument processing platform 120. After this, the authentication tokenis removed from document processing platform 120.

The processes corresponding to the functions for the components ofsystem 100 are disclosed in greater detail below. Using mobileapplication 110, third party application 112 may print or use printingdevice 104, even though they are on separate networks. Printing device104 may not be directly connected to the applications. Mobileapplication 110 cannot provide the authentication tokens directly toprinting device 104 because most likely mobile device 108 and theprinting device are on different networks. Mobile application 110 storesthe appropriate tokens and information on document processing platform120 to allow access by printing device 108.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components of printing device 104used in conjunction with system 100 according to the disclosedembodiments. The architecture shown in FIG. 2 may apply to anymulti-functional printer or image forming apparatus that scans documentsto perform other functions, such as printing, storing, copying, and thelike. As disclosed above, printing device 104 may send and receive datafrom mobile device 108, applications 112 and 116, and documentprocessing platform 120.

Printing device 104 includes a computing platform 201 that performsoperations to support these functions. Computing platform 201 includes acomputer processing unit (CPU) 202, an image forming unit 204, a memoryunit 206, and a network communication interface 210. Other componentsmay be included but are not shown for brevity. Printing device 104,using computing platform 201, may be configured to perform variousoperations, such as scanning, copying, printing, receiving or sending afacsimile, or document processing. As such, printing 104 may be aprinting device or a multi-function peripheral including a scanner, andone or more functions of a copier, a facsimile device, and a printer. Toprovide these functions, printing device 104 includes printer components220 to perform printing operations, copier components 222 to performcopying operations, scanner components 224 to perform scanningoperations, and facsimile components 226 to receive and send facsimiledocuments. CPU 202 may issue instructions to these components to performthe desired operations.

Printing device 104 also includes a finisher 211 and one or more papercassettes 212. Finisher 211 includes rotatable downstream rollers tomove papers with an image formed surface after the desired operation toa tray. Finisher 211 also may perform additional actions, such assorting the finished papers, binding sheets of papers with staples,doubling, creasing, punching holes, folding, and the like. Papercassettes 212 supply paper to image the various components 220, 222,224, and 226 to create the image formed surfaces on the papers. Papercassettes 212 may include papers having various sizes, colors,composition, and the like. Paper cassettes 212 may be removed to refillas needed.

Document processor input feeder tray 230 may be the physical componentsof printing device 104 to receive papers and documents to be processed.A document is placed on or in document processor input feeder tray 230,which moves the document to other components within printing device 104.The movement of the document from document processor input feeder tray230 may be controlled by the instructions input by the user. Forexample, the document may move to a scanner flatbed for scanningoperations. Thus, document processor input feeder tray 230 provides thedocument to scanner components 220. As shown in FIG. 2, documentprocessor input feeder tray 230 may interact with engine firmware 106 toperform the desired operations.

Memory unit 206 includes memory storage locations 214 to storeinstructions 215. Instructions 215 are executable on CPU 202 or otherprocessors associated with printing device 104, such as any processorswithin components 220, 222, 224, or 226. Memory unit 206 also may storeinformation for various programs and applications, as well as dataspecific to printing device 104. For example, a storage location 214 mayinclude data for running an operating system executed by computingplatform 201 to support the components within printing device 104.According to the disclosed embodiments, memory unit 206 may store thetokens and information used in performing the authentication operationsfor printing device 104.

Memory unit 206 may comprise volatile and non-volatile memory. Volatilememory may include random access memory (RAM). Examples of non-volatilememory may include read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), digital tape, a harddisk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD). Memory unit 206 alsoincludes any combination of readable or writable volatile memories ornon-volatile memories, along with other possible memory devices.

Computing platform 201 may host one or more processors, such as CPU 202.These processors are capable of executing instructions 215 stored at oneor more storage locations 214. By executing these instructions, theprocessors cause printing device 104 to perform various operations. Theprocessors also may incorporate processing units for specific purposes,such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs). Other processors may be included forexecuting operations particular to components 220, 222, 224, and 226. Inother words, the particular processors may cause printing device 104 toact as a printer, copier, scanner, and a facsimile device.

Printing device 104 also includes an operations panel 208, which may beconnected to computing platform 201. Operations panel 208 may include adisplay unit 216 and an input unit 217 for facilitating interaction witha user to provide commands to printing device 104. Display unit 216 maybe any electronic video display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD).Input unit 217 may include any combination of devices that allow usersto input information into operations panel 208, such as buttons, a touchscreen, a keyboard or keypad, switches, dials, and the like. Preferably,input unit 217 includes a touch-screen digitizer overlaid onto displayunit 216 that senses touch to receive inputs from the user. By thismanner, the user interacts with display unit 216.

Printing device 104 also includes network communication processing unit218. Network communication processing unit 218 may establish a networkcommunication, such as a wireless or wired connection with one or moreother image forming apparatuses and a server in an image forming system.CPU 202 may instruct network communication processing unit 218 totransmit or retrieve information over a network using networkcommunication interface 210. As data is received at computing platform201 over a network, network communication processing unit 218 decodesthe incoming packets and delivers them to CPU 202. CPU 202 may actaccordingly by causing operations to occur on printing device 104. CPU202 also may retrieve information stored in memory unit 206, such assettings for printing device 104.

Printing device 104 also includes engine 106. Engine 106 may be acombination of hardware, firmware, or software components that actaccordingly to accomplish a task. For example, engine 106 is comprisedof the components and software to print a document. It may receiveinstructions from computing platform 201 after user input via operationspanel 208. Alternatively, engine 106 may receive instructions from otherattached or linked devices.

Engine 106 manages and operates the low-level mechanism of the printingdevice engine, such as hardware components that actuate placement oftoner onto paper. Engine 106 may manage and coordinate the half-toner,toner cartridges, rollers, schedulers, storage, input/output operations,and the like. Raster image processor (RIP) firmware 290 that interpretsthe page description languages (PDLs) would transmit and sendinstructions down to the lower-level engine 106 for actual rendering ofan image and application of the toner onto paper during operations onprinting device 104.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the components in mobile device108 for use with system 100 according to the disclosed embodiments.Mobile device 108 executes mobile application 110 to enableauthentication operations within system 100. Mobile device 108 mayinclude a processor 310. Processor 310 may be any of a variety ofdifferent types of processors suitable for mobile devices. Processor 310executes instructions 312. Instructions 312 may be loaded into processor310 in order to configure mobile device 108 to perform specifiedfunctions or operations. These instructions may come from applications340 stored in memory 390, or may be partially or wholly hardwired aspart of processor 310.

Memory 390, such as random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, or othertype of memory, is accessible by processor 310. In some embodiments,memory 390 may be partially comprised of read-only memory (ROM). Memory390 may be configured to store an operating system (OS) 330, data 320,and applications 340. Applications 340 include client agents, mobileapplications, and mobile location-enabled applications that may providelocation-based services to the user. Data 320 may include data receivedfrom the other entities in system 100, such as printing device 104 andapplications 112 and 116.

Processor 310 may be coupled, either directly or via appropriateintermediary hardware, to a display 350 and to one or more input/output(I/O) devices 360, such as a keypad, a touch panel sensor, a microphone,and the like. Processor 310 also may be coupled to transceiver 325 thatinterfaces with an antenna 375 to send and receive data within system100. Transceiver 325 may be configured to transmit and receive cellularnetwork signals, wireless data signals, or other types of signals viaantenna 375. Mobile device 108 may be configured by an application 340to receive and transmit specific types of signals. Mobile device 108also may include a port or connection through I/O devices 360 tocommunicate with a device connected by a wire or other physicalconnection. In some embodiments, a global positioning system (GPS)receiver 380 also may make use of antenna 375 to receive GPS signals.

Mobile device 108 also includes camera 302. Camera 302 may captureimages for use by applications 340. Specifically, camera 302 may act asa scanner to capture graphical codes for use by mobile application 110.The appropriate application within applications 340 may control camera302.

Each of camera 302, display 350, transceiver 325, GPS receiver 380,processor 310, memory 390, I/O devices 360, and antenna 375 may beconnected to interconnect 395. Alternatively, the components of mobiledevice 110 may be connected directly or indirectly to one or more ofeach other. Interconnect 395 may be one or more mobile devicecommunications systems such as a bus or other hardware to enablecommunication between the components of mobile device 108.

Applications 340 include mobile application 110 to enable authenticationprocesses between printing device 104 and applications 112 and 116. Thefollowing disclosure will focus on the interaction between mobileapplication 110 and application 112, though the same principles may beapplied to any application or service within system 100. Mobile device108 receives authentication token 130 and refresh token 132 fromapplication 112. The use of these tokens by mobile application 110 isdisclosed in greater detail below. The tokens are received in a signalto mobile device 108.

Authentication token 130 may be a scrambled string of data generated bythe provider that is recognized when presented to the provider. In thisinstance, the provider is a third party application 112 that providessome service associated with the user of mobile device 108. Preferably,authentication token 130 is not authored but reserved by the user usinga request. In some embodiments, authentication token 130 includes anexpiration date so that it is used within a set period of time. In otherembodiments, a flag may be set on the number of times the authenticationtoken is used. Mobile application 110 may store multiple tokens frommultiple third party applications or services in memory 390.

Mobile application 110 also may use refresh token 132. Refresh token 132also is generated by application 112. When mobile application 110requests an authentication token 130, it would provide a refresh token132 to application 112. Refresh token 132 may be used in lieu of a username and password. The user may not want to store the user name orpassword on mobile device 108. If mobile device 108 is lost, then theuser can remove the applicable refresh token so that an unauthorizeduser cannot access the third party application to request anauthentication token. Refresh token 132 also may be stored by mobileapplication 110 in memory 390.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart 400 for pairing a printing device 104with a mobile application 110 for authentication according to thedisclosed embodiments. The disclosure of flowchart 400 may refer tofeatures shown in FIGS. 1-3 for illustrative purposes. The embodimentsdisclosed by flowchart 400, however, are not limited to the features ofFIGS. 1-3.

Step 402 executes by identifying printing device 104 by a user of mobiledevice 108. In some embodiments, printing device 104 and mobile device108 are not in the same network. For example, printing device 104 may beon a network for its location, such as a store or public network. Mobiledevice 108 is on a separate cellular or wireless network. Thus, mobiledevice 108 is not a “trusted” device connected to printing device 104.Any operations performed on printing device 104 should be authenticated,especially if printing or performing jobs from a third partyapplication.

Step 404 executes by launching mobile application 110 on mobile device108. In some embodiments, processor 310 loads instructions 312 formobile application 110 thereon to configure mobile device 110 to performthe functions and operations disclosed below. In some embodiments,mobile application 110 may be launched or enabled for a period of timebefore it shuts off. One should pair printing device 104 with mobileapplication 110 within this period of time.

Step 406 executes by scanning a graphical code 138 associated withprinting device 104. Preferably, graphical code 138 is located onprinting device 104 as a bar code or a Quick Response (QR) code suchthat mobile device 108 uses camera 302 to capture an image of thegraphical code. An application 340 determines the information locatedwithin the graphical code and provides this information to mobileapplication 110.

Step 408 executes by determining whether the information withingraphical code 138 includes identification (ID) information 140 aboutprinting device 104. There are two ways to obtain the identificationinformation for printing device 104. In some embodiments, theidentification information is within the graphical code itself. A serialnumber or other unique identification specific to printing device 104 isprovided. In other embodiments, graphical code 138 includes a locator oraddress to retrieve identification information 140 as it is storedelsewhere on system 100. In some other embodiments, identificationinformation 140 may be stored on printing device 104, such as on memory206. Graphical code 138 directs mobile application 110 to the addresswithin memory 206 to retrieve the information. FIG. 1 shows thesedifferent embodiments.

If step 408 is no, then step 410 executes by determining the address foridentification information 140. For example, identification information140 may be stored on storage 122 at an address therein. Graphical code138 directs mobile application 110 to storage 122 using an Internetprotocol (IP) address, for example, within the code. Step 412 executesby retrieving identification information 140 for printing device 104from the address in storage 122. Again, identification information 140may be a serial number or some designator that uniquely identifiesprinting device 104.

Flowchart 400 may proceed directly to step 420 at this point, or mayexecute steps 414-18. Step 414 executes by comparing identificationinformation 140 with validation information available for printingdevice 104. Mobile application 110 may compare part of the retrievedinformation with known information to verify that the retrievedinformation is correct. Step 414 also may verify that the user of mobileapplication 110 has permission to access identification information 140.For example, the user of mobile device 108 may not be allowed to useprinting device 104. Step 416 executes by determining whether thecomparison of identification information 140 indicates a “pass” in thatthe retrieved information is correct or that printing device 104 may beused for operations. If yes, then flowchart 400 proceeds to step 420. Ifstep 416 is no, then step 418 executes by displaying an alert or othernotification on mobile device 108 that a problem exists.

If step 408 is yes, then it is determined that identificationinformation 140 is within graphical code 138 and no operations to obtainthe information over system 100 should be taken. In some embodiments,identification information 140 may be stored on printing device 104.Graphical code 138 indicates the address in the memory on the printingdevice.

Step 420 executes by determining identification information 140 forprinting device 104. Mobile application 110 may receive the informationand generate any other data needed to proceed with authenticationoperations. Step 422 executes by storing identification information 140for printing device 104 with mobile application 110. In someembodiments, the identification information is stored on mobile device108.

It should be noted that mobile application 110 may be paired with morethan one printing device 104. Mobile device 108 may scan a plurality ofgraphical codes from various printing devices and store theidentification information. While performing subsequent operations, theuser may select which printing device is to receive which token from athird party application. Further, a time limit or expiration parametermay be added to identification information 140. The user has a number ofhours, days, minutes, and the like to obtain a token to use withprinting device 104. Another parameter may be number of jobs on printingdevice 104. The user of mobile device 108 may be limit to a number oftokens associated with the identification information, as disclosedbelow.

Mobile application 108 does not store any information about mobiledevice 108 or the user on printing device 104. This feature allows forpersonal or private information to remain on mobile device 108. The useris not required to enter such information on printing device 104. Thus,the need to accept many different user name and password formats isremoved as well as trying to resolve many different users and networksusing printing device 104. Printing device 104 does not need to store ormaintain account information for the user or mobile device 108. Legacydevices may be used as well as devices having older platforms that donot support applications to print and perform jobs from mobileplatforms.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart 500 for using an authentication token 130with mobile application 110 according to the disclosed embodiments. Thedisclosure of flowchart 500 may refer to features shown in FIGS. 1-3 forillustrative purposes. The embodiments disclosed by flowchart 500,however, are not limited to the features of FIGS. 1-3. Further, thediscussion of flowchart 500 discloses the use of authentication token130 but the same principles apply to authentication token 134 of thirdparty application 116.

Step 502 executes by accessing mobile application 110 on mobile device108. The user may activate the application and select printing device104 on which to perform an operation, such as a print job. Step 504executes by selecting a third party application 112 in which toassociate to printing device 104. As disclosed above, a document or filemaybe within application 112 or part of a service that provides files tothe user. It should be noted that the document or file is not requiredto be stored on mobile device 108. The user may remotely use mobileapplication 110 to print the document from application 112 on printingdevice 104 to pickup later. Application 112 also may not be on a networkor other platform with printing device 104 or mobile device 108.

Steps 506 and 508 may be executed in the alternative or they may beexecuted simultaneously. Steps 506 and 508 verify the identity of theuser of mobile application 110 to third party application 112. Step 506executes by logging into third party application 112 through mobileapplication 110 to provide a user name and password to verify the statusof the user. Alternatively, mobile application 110 may provide these toapplication 112 without the user entering such information on mobiledevice 108. Other identification information for the user may be usedbeyond a user name or password.

Step 508 executes by providing refresh token 132 to application 112.Refresh token 132 may provide the credentials to verify the user toapplication 112. Refresh token 132 may be stored by mobile application110 on mobile device 108. Refresh token 132 also is generated byapplication 112. The token may include data to identify mobile device108 as permissible to use within system 100. It may be provided tomobile application 110 on a specified basis so that an invalid usercannot utilize mobile device 108 to access application 112 or printdocuments using the disclosed embodiments. The user controls refreshtoken 132. It should be noted that refresh token 132 is not used withprinting device 104.

Step 510 executes by requesting an authentication token from application112. The user may select the desired application using an interfacethrough mobile application 110. Alternatively, the user may access thedesired application directly and request an authentication token. Step512 executes by generating authentication token 130 by application 112.As disclosed above, authentication token 130 may be a scrambled stringhaving information recognizable by application 112 to verify access tothe documents supported by the application. In this manner, third partyapplication 112 controls how the tokens are generated. In someembodiments, application 112 may generate and store authenticationtokens on its server 114 for use when requested.

Step 514 executes by setting parameters from authentication token 130.An authentication token may not last for a long period of time.Application 112 may want a token to expire after a certain point toprevent unauthorized access to its documents and files. Thus, anexpiration parameter may be set to delete authentication token 130 frommobile application 110. The expiration parameter may be a date, such astwo months from the date of issuance to mobile application 110.Alternatively, the token may be removed after a number of uses of thetoken. The authentication token may be used to allow access toapplication 112 for a certain number of print jobs. After that number ofprint jobs are completed, the token expires.

Step 516 executes by mobile application 110 receiving authenticationtoken 130 from application 112. Referring to FIG. 3, authenticationtoken 130 is received over a network at mobile device 108. Mobileapplication 110 then may store authentication token 130 on mobiledevice, such as in memory 390. The token may be stored on mobile device108 subject to the expiration parameter set in step 514. If the usergoes to another printing device, then the user does not need toreauthenticate because authentication token 130 is on mobile device 108.Step 517 executes by deleting the generated authentication token if anexpiration parameter has been met before further operations.

Step 518 executes by associating authentication token 130 withidentification information 140 for printing device 104. Mobileapplication 110 performs these operations. Step 520 executes by sendingauthentication token 130 and identification information 140 to documentprocessing platform 120, as shown in FIG. 1. Document processingplatform 120 may act as a backend server that is not dedicated tospecific printing devices or applications. It also keeps tokens andidentification information protected. The tokens and identificationinformation are not kept on mobile device 108 or printing device 104.Step 522 executes by storing authentication token 130 and identificationinformation 140 at an address within document processing platform 120.In this manner, token 130 and information 140 are paired at platform130.

Step 524 executes by determining whether another token should beselected for printing device 104. If yes, then flowchart 500 repeats theprocess to generate and store an authentication token with theidentification information. In some embodiments, flowchart 500, usingstep A, may return to step 504 to select another token to pair withidentification information 140 of printing device 104. Referring back toFIG. 1, mobile application 110 may request authentication token 134 fromthird party application 116. The processes disclosed by flowchart 500may be used to authenticate the user to a second application forprocessing of documents or files using a different authentication token134. Further, mobile application 110 may provide refresh token 136 toapplication 116. Application generates tokens 134 and 136 and may setits own parameters. Mobile application 110 then may send authenticationtoken 134 and identification information 140 for printing device 104 todocument processing platform 120. If step 524 is no, then step 526 stopsthe process of flowchart 500.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart 600 for establishing a connection betweenprinting device 104 and third party application 112 according to thedisclosed embodiments. The disclosure of flowchart 600 may refer tofeatures shown in FIGS. 1-3 for illustrative purposes. The embodimentsdisclosed by flowchart 600, however, are not limited to the features ofFIGS. 1-3. Further, the discussion of flowchart 600 discloses the use ofauthentication token 130 but the same principles apply to authenticationtoken 134 of third party application 116.

Step 602 executes by activating printing device 104. Printing device104, however, may already be activated and ready to receive jobs fromother devices. Step 604 executes by entering or selecting a job to beperformed on printing device 104. Preferably, the job is a print job inthat the user of mobile device 108 wishes to print a document fromapplication 112.

Step 606 may execute by instructing printing device 104 to retrieveauthentication token 130 from document processing platform 120.Alternatively, step 606 may not wait for an instruction. Printing device104 may poll document processing platform 120 at specified times or on aperiodic basis to determine whether authentication tokens should be sentthereto. As such, step 608 executes by sending identificationinformation 140 from printing device 104 to document processing platform120. As can be seen in FIG. 1, information 140 is sent to platform 120from printing device 104 and not from mobile device 108.

Step 610 executes by determining the appropriate authentication tokenusing identification information 140. Document processing platform 120may match authentication token 130 with identification information 140sent from mobile application 110. In some embodiments, everyauthentication token may be identified according to information 140. Inother words, authentication token 134 also may be identified in step610. Step 612 executes by sending authentication token 130 to printingdevice 104. Following the example of authentication token 134, it alsomay be sent to printing device 104 for use in operations withapplication 116. Step 614 executes by deleting authentication token 130from document processing platform 120. The deletion of the tokenprevents continuous authentication operations to occur. The user shouldre-authenticate after token 130 is used and obtain another token fromapplication 112.

Step 616 executes by storing authentication token 130 at printing device104. Authentication token 130 may be stored in memory 206. Step 618executes by providing authentication token 130 to third partyapplication 112. In some embodiments, this step may be executed afterselecting the print job to be performed. In other words, steps 606-618do not execute after a print job is selected but on request of printingdevice 104.

Step 620 executes by establishing a connection 190 between printingdevice 104 and application 112. Application 112 receives authenticationtoken 130 and verifies that printing device 104 has been selected by anauthorized user of mobile application 110 to print and process documentsfrom the application. Thus, a secure connection may be establishedbetween the device and the application without the need to send tokensor other data from mobile device 108. Step 622 executes by processingthe print job on printing device 104.

Step 624 executes by determining whether further jobs should beprocessed using printing device 104. If no, then step 626 executes bystopping operations. If yes, then flowchart 600 returns to step 604.This return indicates that the print job will come from anotherapplication, such as third party application 116. If so, then printingdevice 104 will send authentication token 134 to application 116 toestablish a connection to print documents therefrom.

According to the disclosed embodiments, operations may be performed on aprinting device from an application or service within another network ornot really associated with the printing device. The documents processedon the printing device may not come from a printer driver thatspecifically identifies the printing device to receive the document.Instead, it comes from an application as directed by a mobileapplication, which also may be on another network. Through the exchangeof an authentication token and the use of identification information,the job is authenticated to be processed on the printing device withoutthe need to enter or provide private information to the printing device.The user may provide such information from the security of his/hermobile device.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present inventionmay be embodied as a system, method or computer program product.Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects that may all generally bereferred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore,the present invention may take the form of a computer program productembodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer-usableprogram code embodied in the medium.

Any combination of one or more computer usable or computer readablemedium(s) may be utilized. The computer-usable or computer-readablemedium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus,device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non- exhaustivelist) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: anelectrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computerdiskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a transmission media such as thosesupporting the Internet or an intranet, or a magnetic storage device.Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even bepaper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, asthe program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, opticalscanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, orotherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then storedin a computer memory.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the presentinvention may be written in any combination of one or more programminglanguages, including an object oriented programming language such asJava, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer,partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partlyon the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely onthe remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remotecomputer may be connected to the user's computer through any type ofnetwork, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network(WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (forexample, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

The present invention is described with reference to flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) andcomputer program products according to embodiments of the invention. Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/orblock diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor ofthe computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, createmeans for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specific thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments may be implemented as a computer process, a computing systemor as an article of manufacture such as a computer program product ofcomputer readable media. The computer program product may be a computerstorage medium readable by a computer system and encoding a computerprogram instructions for executing a computer process. When accessed,the instructions cause a processor to enable other components to performthe functions disclosed above.

The corresponding structures, material, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or steps plus function elements in the claims below are intendedto include any structure, material or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements are specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosenand described in order to best explain the principles of the inventionand the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill inthe art to understand the invention for embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

One or more portions of the disclosed networks or systems may bedistributed across one or more MFP systems coupled to a network capableof exchanging information and data. Various functions and components ofthe MFP system may be distributed across multiple client computerplatforms, or configured to perform tasks as part of a distributedsystem. These components may be executable, intermediate or interpretedcode that communicates over the network using a protocol. The componentsmay have specified addresses or other designators to identify thecomponents within the network.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications to the disclosed may be made without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the presentinvention covers the modifications and variations disclosed aboveprovided that these changes come within the scope of the claims andtheir equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for authentication of a user at aprinting device using a mobile application, the method comprising:receiving identification information at the mobile application;generating an authentication token in response to a request from themobile application; providing the authentication token to the mobileapplication; storing the authentication token and the identificationinformation for the printing device; retrieving the authentication tokenupon receipt of the identification information; and establishing aconnection between a third party application and the printing devicebased on the authentication token.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising removing the authentication token after retrieval by theprinting device.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pairing stepincludes scanning a graphical code for the printing device by the mobileapplication.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising retrieving theidentification information according to the graphical code for theprinting device.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising settingthe authentication token to expire after a time period or number ofuses.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication token isrecognized only by the third party application.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein the generating step includes providing a refresh token to thethird party application from the mobile application.
 8. A method forusing a mobile application, the method comprising: scanning a code froma printing device by the mobile application, wherein the code includesidentification information for the printing device; receiving a firstauthentication token from a first application; storing the firstauthentication token and the identification information; and instructingthe printing device to retrieve the first authentication token toestablish a connection to the first application.
 9. The method of claim8, further comprising retrieving the identification information for theprinting device based on the scanned code.
 10. The method of claim 8,further comprising deleting the first authentication token from themobile application according to an expiration parameter.
 11. The methodof claim 8, further comprising providing a refresh token from the mobileapplication to the first application.
 12. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising requesting a second authentication token from a secondapplication.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing thesecond authentication token and the identification information from themobile application.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the printingdevice is configured to establish a connection to the second applicationbased on the second authentication token.
 15. A method forauthenticating a user at a printing device, the method comprising:scanning a code at the printing device using a mobile application;retrieving identification information for the printing device based onthe code; providing an authentication token to the mobile application;and storing the authentication token and the identification informationfor the printing device; and providing the authentication code to theprinting device upon receipt of the identification information from theprinting device, wherein a connection is established between theprinting device and a third party application according to theauthentication token.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprisingreceiving a print job for the printing device using the connection tothe third party application.
 17. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising deleting the authentication token upon providing theauthentication token to the printing device.
 18. The method of claim 15,further comprising determining an address to access the identificationinformation.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising retrievingthe identification information from the address.
 20. The method of claim15, wherein the printing device is configured to store a plurality ofauthentication tokens.